The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1887-04-02

| tactS OF PHYSIOLOGY, for the observed
facts or phenomena are the same wheth-
er the brain be regarded as the organ
or instrument of thought.
But it makes vast difference in the
Interpretation of the phenomena which
of these theories you adopt. The in
strumental relation of brain to mind
will explain all the observed facts in
the physiology of thought, but the
causal relation of brain to mind will
not explain the observed facts of psy-
chology. OF this large class of facts
given us in consciousness and expert
ence, embracing mental, moral and re-
ligious phenomena, tie causal relation
of brain to mind gives no rational ex-
PLANTATION. Thought is associated with
brain action, but as it's cause and not
as its effect. AS intelligence and voli-
tion have their physiological side, be-
cause they are revealed through the
nervous organism, the question of the
relation of the brain to thought is to be
answered in part by physiology. AS such
it is to be determined by scientific au-
thority to the extent that it stands
connected with the action, state and
condition of the nervous system. DR..
Carpenter says: "The conscious life Of
every individual man essentially con-
sists in an action and reaction between
his mind and all that is outside of it.
But this action and reaction cannot
take place in his present stage of exist
ence without the intervention of a ma
terial instrument, whose function is to
bridge over the hiatus between individ-
ual consciousness and the external
world. But few, if any philosophers
would be disposed to question the fact
that the brain is the instrument of our
higher psychical powers"
DR.. Winslow, who is high English
authority as medical specialist in the
department of mental disease, says
1.-THE brain being the material instru-
ment of the intelligence, the physical
medium through which the mind man
ifests its varied powers, it is rational to
infer that no change in its structure OF
investing membranes can exist without
to some extent interfering with or mod
flying its psychical functions" Wins
low on brain and Mind" p. 32)
Buthe farther states, however: Ceases
are on record in which serious injury
has been done to the brain during life
without apparently damaging the intel
| ligence; aud considerable f1cephalit
disorganization las the result of disease,
has taken place without any alteration,
exaltation, depression, or impairment
of mind having been observed previously
to DEATH" Page 80. This shows that
the brain is not the cause, but the in
strument of thought, emotion and voli-
tion.
Muller says: "The action of the mind
is dependent on the fibrous matter and
composition of the brain. Still this
amounts to nothing more than that the
brain by its organization is the instru-
ment by which the mind operates and
is active" (Muller's Physiology.
Solly says; "If there is one point in
the physiology of the brain more une-
quiyocally demonstrated than another,
it is that these glangia are the instru-
ments of the mind" Solly on the Brain,
p. 3S5.
The science of physiology, therefore,
demonstrates that the mind is the agent,
and the brain the instruments of thought.
II the brain is only the material instru-
ment of the mind, created for its use,
and adapted to its service, its condi-
tion of health or disease must affect
the action and modify the manifesto
tions of the mind as the spiritual and
personal agent. The size and quality
of the instrument will also affect the
action of the agent using it.
A man could chop more wood with a
large axe of fine steel, and keen edge
than he could with small one of poor
metal. So the mind can do more and
better thinking with large brain OF
fine quality than with small brain of
poor quality. The instrument is bet
ter, and better fitted for use and the
work as a necessary result is bett er-
larger in quantity and finer in quality.
The brain being the instrument of
thought, there must be an agent to use
it. The existence of tools proves the
existence of a mechanic; the existence
of an engine proves the existence of an
engineer; so the existence of the brain
proves the existence of the spiritual,
intelligent agent who is able to use it
in thought, emotion, volition and ac-
tion.